Kremlin praises Trump's National Security Strategy, aligning with Russia's vision
The Kremlin has expressed enthusiasm for Donald Trump's latest national security strategy, viewing it as a positive shift in policy that aligns closely with Russian perspectives. This positive reception comes on the heels of a White House document criticizing the EU and Europe's potential for 'civilisational erasure', while also signaling a renewed interest in fostering better relations with Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Sunday that the Trump administration's adjustments resonate with Russia's vision in numerous ways. He welcomed the administration's apparent preference for dialogue and the establishment of positive relations. However, Peskov also warned of potential sabotage by the supposed US 'deep state', which could undermine Trump's vision.
This praise comes at a critical juncture in the White House's efforts to facilitate a peace deal in Ukraine. US officials claim they are in the final stages of reaching an agreement, but both Ukraine and Russia remain hesitant to sign the framework deal proposed by Trump's negotiating team.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Downing Street on Monday for a four-way meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelenskyy has previously sought European support during times when the White House has attempted to push Ukraine towards territorial concessions.
A key concern for Kyiv is the security guarantees it would receive if it agrees to renounce control over certain territories. Zelenskyy had a substantive phone call with US officials on Saturday evening, following three days of talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida. This call came after Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, visited Moscow earlier in the week.
A source revealed that the call between Zelenskyy and US officials lasted two hours and was described as 'difficult'. Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's determination to continue working in good faith with the American side to achieve genuine peace. The discussions covered 'key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full-scale invasion'.
However, it remains uncertain whether the US or Europe is willing to provide the security guarantees needed to deter Russia from future invasions. Additionally, it is unlikely that Vladimir Putin would agree to a deal involving any Western troops stationed in Ukraine.
US officials have repeatedly claimed to be close to a sustainable deal since Trump's second term, only to have their claims exposed as wishful thinking. Trump's outgoing Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, suggested that the administration's efforts to end the war are in the 'last 10 meters'. He identified two outstanding issues: territory and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Kellogg is seen as sympathetic to Ukraine's position among US officials but is set to leave his role in January and participated in the Florida talks. Many others in Trump's orbit, including Witkoff, have been more open to adopting Russian positions. Trump's son, Donald Jr., made controversial statements at a forum in Doha on Sunday, suggesting that Zelenskyy is deliberately prolonging the conflict to maintain power and that the US would no longer be 'the idiot with the chequebook'.
Analysts in Kyiv acknowledge that Ukraine is not yet in a position to sign any deal simply to prevent the war's continuation. However, they predict a challenging and potentially grim winter ahead, as Russia continues to target energy infrastructure, disrupting power and heating supplies for millions of Ukrainians. As Ukraine enters its fourth winter of full-scale war, President Zelenskyy's authority has been weakened by a corruption scandal involving several associates, leading to the resignation of his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
Local officials reported one death during a drone attack in the northern Chernihiv region late on Saturday, and a combined drone and missile attack targeted energy infrastructure in the central city of Kremenchuk, leaving much of the city without power and water on Sunday. This followed consecutive nights of attacks on energy facilities, with over 600 drones and 50 missiles used on Friday night.
